Meet the Staff

Begin - Owner and Founder of AECMS and the Infant House

I was born and raised in Congo where I earned my degree in Economics at the University of Congo.  I came to Oregon in 2014, got married, then welcomed our daughter. Growing up, I took care of my brothers and grew to love children.  I decided that one day, I would start a school.  While in Portland, I worked as a lead teacher at a French Immersion school and I really enjoyed watching my students develop and learn.  In 2017, I founded the Infant House and began to imagine creating a French Immersion school of my own.  AECMS French Immersion School opened its doors in May of 2020.

Dannielle - Director of AECMS

I started with Arcenciel during June 2021 as the Administrative Assistant and Parent Liaison and as my journey with the school has continued, I have accepted the role as Director. I have over 10 years experience as an operations and compliance manager and have spent the past five years working as an independent contractor specializing in helping women and minority-owned businesses recognize their full growth potential. My areas of expertise are in creating and implementing foundational systems for all aspects of Human Resources, market analysis, creating and implementing budget plans, and ensuring compliance with organizational policies. I grew up in Eastern Oregon on a ranch raising a variety of animals and spent most of my youth volunteering at the local hospital. The draw to volunteering followed me into adulthood, and for three years I was the Chairman of the Overlook Neighborhood Association.  While there I established new avenues of community outreach to traditionally underrepresented community members, namely renters and the houseless community. In my free time I love to work on home remodeling projects, spend time in the garden, and teach my two children who both attend AECMS about animal husbandry. 

Cam – Director of Programs

My name is Cynthia, but you can call me Cam. I am the new program director here at AECMS and I am looking forward to bringing my wealth of knowledge and experience to the program. I have worked in the childcare field and in Montessori for more than 25 years. I founded, owned and operated a Montessori school in New Zealand where we served as many as 40 children at once. Since then I have traveled between New Zealand, Portland, OR and Missoula, MT working as an educational facilitator, Educational Coordinator, Board Member for the Directors for the Oregon Montessori Association, and owner of the Toddler House, LLC. I am also a published children's book writer. During my time at Arc en Ciel I will be focused on supporting all staff as we start the path to become an AMI recognized program, increasing our parent education and outreach about Montessori, and bringing a fun and lightheartedness to the school community.

Julia - Lead Guide, Room 1

I was born in Tallahassee Florida, where I attended a Montessori primary program as a child. I have a B.A.J. in Photojournalism and minors in French and Psychology from the University of Georgia. I received the AMI Primary training (for ages 3-6) in Atlanta, GA, and later, the AMI Assistants to Infancy training (for birth - 3) in Portland, OR. In my 9 years of experience in AMI Montessori programs before joining Arc-En-Ciel, I have worn many hats- from classroom assistant, to guide, to Assistant Administrator. I’ve been working directly with toddlers since 2014, and as a lead guide since 2017. I love creating activities that spark joy and making an environment that fosters independence. In my free time, I enjoy relaxing with my cat, Soleil, and taking trips to the Oregon Coast.

Hayley – Lead Guide, Room 2 

I have been working with young children since I was 12 years old. I first encountered Montessori teaching in high school, where I assisted in afterschool and summer programs at a local school. After college, I explored other passions before returning to work at a Montessori school. This time I was with the toddler class, and quickly discovered my adoration for guiding young children. I have since completed my Montessori training and pursued a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. I have two years of experience leading a toddler classroom and go out of my way to bring new experiences into the classroom; I’ve even learned ukulele and yoga in order to share it with the children. I’ve spent two summers in Portland studying at Montessori Northwest and am delighted to make Oregon my new home. When I’m not at school, I enjoy cooking, knitting, rollerblading and hiking with my dog.

Rosie - Lead Guide, Room 3

My name is Sonia Rose Schilling, (known as Rosie) I am the lead guide in our Room 3 classroom.  The lead guide prepares the Montessori environment as well as guides the children through the materials (mostly) giving one on one lessons. I grew up in Southern Illinois and moved to Oregon in 2010. Before discovering Montessori, I received a Bachelor’s degree in studio art.  After college, I designed and made jewelry that I sold online, in stores, and at various large art/craft fairs in major cities throughout the West coast. During periods of lulls in business, I would nanny and work with multiple families sometimes having up to seven children at my home.  This drew me in to the magic of working with young people, as I fell in love with their inspiring and genuine outlook on our world.  Discovering Montessori and its hands-on method for learning was a turning point for me and matched my style of working with children. I have since completed two Montessori certificates, North American Montessori Center (NAMC) and Association of Montessori International (AMI). This is my fifth year as a Montessori educator and I enjoy it everyday, this work truly feeds my soul.  I value the integrity of the method and teaching style it offers and find that it is adaptable globally (culturally) and individually to meet each child's needs.  I contribute; playing ukulele/music with children, children's yoga, American sign language, dance, and all forms of art to the classroom.

Victoria - Lead Guide, Room 4

I was raised in northern California, and relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 2006. In 2012 I moved to Portland, and later that year my daughter was born. I obtained my AMI primary diploma from Montessori Northwest and began teaching at an AMI Montessori school in Vancouver, WA in 2017. During the pandemic, I formed an in-home AMI outdoor program to assist families that could not return to the classroom. I look forward to joining Arc-en-Ciel Montessori and bringing my love of language and the natural sciences to life through the Montessori method. In my spare time I enjoy reading, writing and going on nature expeditions with my daughter.

Daphne - Primary Assistant, Room 1

I am originally from Florida where I worked in operations and as an administrative assistant. Before moving to Portland, I spent a lot of my time volunteering as an after school teacher for primary aged children and caring for high needs children at a disabilities daycare. After moving to Portland in 2017, I focused a lot of my time on the operations and admin side of my expertise before it was recommended to me that I look into the program at AECMS. I am so excited to be back working with children and learning more about Montessori teaching.

Sara - Primary Assistant, Room 2

I was born in Bourges, France, and worked as an assistant in a maternelle (preschool) until 2017 when I moved to Boston to be an au pair. I married my husband and we moved to Portland in 2018. I was working as a teacher at a french school when I discovered Montessori at ArcenCiel. My goal is now to become a Montessori trained guide. In my free time I enjoy traveling to warm places and I hope to someday visit Asia!

Sarah - Primary Assistant, Room 3

I am from the Domocratic Republic of the Congo and am fluent in both french and english. I worked as both lead guide and as an assistant at several French Immersion schools within the greater Portland area. I have worked with children and in childcare for over 20 years and am excited to share my knowledge with the children at Arc-en-ciel.

Sabine - Primary Assistant, Room 4

I was born and raised in Zell im Wiesental, Germany and attended NSH - Hotelbusiness School in Basel, Switzerland. Having worked for 21 years at a preschool, and being the mother to two grown children of my own, I have a personal and professional background in early childhood education. I enjoy traveling to far away places, practicing my yoga routine and attending pilates classes. I am fluent in 3 languages French, German, and English. I am fulfilled by spending time with the individual child. Hope and trust come with connecting and accepting the children for who they are and where they are in their growth and development. One of my professional goals is to learn more about practicing the Montessori method at Arc-en-Ciel Montessori School.

Chase - Secondary Assistant, Room 1

I hail from the great state of Texas where I completed my Bachelors Degree in Linguistics and French Language. I have over 10 years of experience as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. My two sisters have children that I helped watch and take care of for their early years. During that experience it made me notice how much I loved working with young children and wanting to bring that into my day to day life. I also volunteered for an art nonprofit that advocated for trans and intersex youth. I have freshly arrived in Portland with my partner and we are very excited to explore the music and outdoors that Portland has to offer.

Bailee - Secondary Assistant, Room 2

I am an Oregon native that has been involved with working with children since I can remember. I have worked as a nanny and teacher for young children since 2013. I graduated Everglades University in 2016 with a BS in Alternative Medicine. I love working with kids to create a hands-on environment that is open and supportive of a child's natural exploration of the world. I am so excited to bring my knowledge and fun energy to the classroom at Arc-en-ciel!

Jade - Secondary Assistant, Room 3 & 4

I am originally from Florida where I worked in operations and as an administrative assistant. Before moving to Portland, I spent a lot of my time volunteering as an after school teacher for primary aged children and caring for high needs children at a disabilities daycare. After moving to Portland in 2017, I focused a lot of my time on the operations and admin side of my expertise before it was recommended to me that I look into the program at AECMS. I am so excited to be back working with children and learning more about Montessori teaching.

Anna – Aftercare Coordinator & Room Floater

My name is Anna-Caroline and I am from Xenia, Ohio. I graduated from Ohio University in 2019 with a B.S. in Public Health and made my move to Portland shortly after. I have worked as a teacher aid at multiple schools and really fell in love with the Montessori teachings when I came to Arcenciel in 2020. I currently work as our Aftercare Coordinator, Primary Floater and onstaff sub. I am looking forward to adding some fun activities and crafts to do during our aftercare program. One of my goals is to become AMI certified (hopefully starting next summer) and to have my own classroom!

Milo - ACEMS Chef

I am the new chef here at Arc-en-ciel fresh from San Francisco with my wife and our new baby, who will be attending the Infant House. Cooking and being in the food industry has been in my family for many generations and I am the first to be a classically trained Chef. I am a dual American and French citizen and have spent a lot of time in France learning the art of french cuisine. I am looking forward to creating exciting menus that are both nutritious and delicious for the children at AECMS.